Plants and seeds of spring canola variety SCV218328

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a novel canola line designated as SCV218328. The invention also relates to the seeds, the plants, and the plant parts of canola line SCV218328 as well as to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV218328 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention further relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV218328, to methods for producing other canola lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV218328 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention additionally relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV218328 with another canola line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive canola line, designated SCV218328.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed, in an embodiment, to a plant, plant part, or seed of canola line SCV218328, representative sample of seed of which was deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10008. The invention is also directed, in an embodiment, to a method for producing a canola seed comprising crossing two canola plants and harvesting the resultant canola seed, wherein at least one of the two canola plants is of canola line SCV218328. In another embodiment, the invention is also directed to a method for producing a canola plant with a particular trait, such as male sterility, herbicide or insect resistance or tolerance, or modified fatty acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism, wherein the method comprises transforming the canola plant of canola line SCV218328 with a nucleic acid molecule that confers that trait.

DEFINITIONS

Allele. Allele is any of one or more alternative forms of a gene which relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Alter. The utilization of up-regulation, down-regulation, or gene silencing.

Anther arrangement. The orientation of the anthers in fully opened flowers; anther arrangement can be useful as an identifying trait. Anther arrangements can range from introse (facing inward toward pistil), erect (neither inward not outward), or extrose (facing outward away from pistil).

Anther dotting. The presence/absence of anther dotting (colored spots on the tips of anthers); if present, the percentage of anther dotting on the tips of anthers in newly opened flowers is a distinguishing trait for varieties.

Anther fertility. A measure of the amount of pollen produced on the anthers of a flower. Anther fertility can range from sterile (such as in female parents used for hybrid seed production) to fertile (all anthers shedding).

Backcrossing. A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybrid progeny back to one of the parents; for example, a first generation hybrid F₁ may be crossed with one of the parental genotypes of the F₁ hybrid.

Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans). A fungal canker or dry rot disease of the actively growing crop that causes stem girdling and lodging. In heavily infested crops, up to 100% of the stems may be infected, resulting in major yield loss. For purposes of this application, resistance to blackleg is measured using ratings of “R” (resistant), “MR” (medium resistant), “MS” (moderately susceptible) or “S” (susceptible).

Cell. As used herein, the term cell includes a plant cell, whether isolated, in tissue culture, or incorporated in a plant or plant part.

Cotyledon width. The cotyledons are leaf structures that form in the developing seeds of canola that make up the majority of the mature seed of these species. When the seed germinates, the cotyledons are pushed out of the soil by the growing hypocotyls (segment of the seedling stem below the cotyledons and above the root) and they unfold as the first photosynthetic leafs of the plant. The width of the cotyledons varies by variety and can be classified as narrow, medium, or wide.

Elite canola line. A canola line which has been sold commercially.

Elite canola parent line. A canola line which is the parent line of a canola line which has been commercially sold.

Embryo. The embryo is the small plant contained within a mature seed.

Essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics. This phrase refers to a plant having essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the recurrent parent, except for the characteristics derived from any converted trait.

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (“FAME”) analysis. A method that allows for accurate quantification of the fatty acids which make up complex lipid classes.

Flower bud location. The location of the unopened flower buds relative to the adjacent opened flowers is useful in distinguishing between the canola species. The unopened buds are held above the most recently opened flowers in B. napus and they are positioned below the most recently opened flower buds in B. rapa.

Flowering date. This is measured by the number of days from planting to the stage when 50% of the plants in a population have one or more open flowers. This varies from variety to variety.

Fusarium Wilt. Fusarium wilt, largely caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is a disease of canola that causes part or all of a plant to wilt, reducing yield by 30% or more on badly affected fields. For purposes of this application, resistance to Fusarium wilt is measured using ratings of “R” (resistant), “MR” (medium resistant), “MS” (moderately susceptible) or “S” (susceptible).

Gene silencing. Gene silencing means the interruption or suppression of the expression of a gene at the level of transcription or translation.

Genotype. This term refers to the genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Glucosinolates. A secondary metabolite of Brassicales that is organic and contains sulfer and nitrogen; derived from glucose and an amino acid. Glucosinolates are measured in micromoles (μm) of total alipathic glucosinolates per gram of air-dried oil-free meal. The level of glucosinolates is somewhat influenced by the sulfur fertility of the soil, but is also controlled by the genetic makeup of each variety and thus can be useful in characterizing varieties.

Growth habit. At the end of flowering, the angle relative to the ground surface of the outermost fully expanded leaf petioles; a variety-specific trait. This trait can range from erect (very upright along the stem) to prostrate (almost horizontal and parallel with the ground surface).

Leaf attachment to the stem. The manner in which the base of the leaf blade clasps the stem. This trait is especially useful for distinguishing between the two canola species. The base of the leaf blade of the upper stem leaves of B. rapa completely clasp the stem whereas those of the B. napus only partially clasp the stem. Those of the mustard species do not clasp the stem at all.

Leaf blade color. The color of the leaf blades is variety-specific and can range from light to medium dark green to blue-green.

Leaf development of lobes. The varying degrees of development of lobes on leaves on the upper portion of the stem which are disconnected from one another along the petiole of the leaf. The degree of lobing is variety-specific and can range from absent (no lobes)/weak to very strong (abundant lobes).

Leaf glaucosity. This refers to the waxiness of the leaves and is characteristic of specific varieties although environment can have some effect on the degree of waxiness. This trait can range from absent (no waxiness)/weak to very strong. The degree of waxiness can be best determined by rubbing the leaf surface and noting the degree of wax present.

Leaf indentation of margin. The varying degrees of serration along the leaf margins on leaves on the upper portion of the stem. The degree of serration or indentation of the leaf margins can vary from absent (smooth margin)/weak to strong (heavy saw-tooth like margin).

Leaf pubescence. The leaf pubescence is the degree of hairiness of the leaf surface and is especially useful for distinguishing between the canola species. There are two main classes of pubescence, glabrous (smooth/not hairy) and pubescent (hairy), which mainly differentiate between the B. napus and B. rapa species, respectively.

Leaf surface. A measure of the surface texture of a leaf, the leaf surface can be used to distinguish between varieties. The surface can be smooth or rugose (lumpy) with varying degrees between the two extremes.

Linkage. This term refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend to segregate together more often than expected if their transmission was independent.

Linkage disequilibrium. A phenomenon wherein alleles tend to remain together in linkage groups when segregating from parents to offspring, with a greater frequency than expected from their individual frequencies.

Locus. A position on a genomic sequence that is usually found by a point of reference, for example, the position of a DNA sequence that is a gene, or part of a gene or intergenic region. A locus confers one or more traits such as, for example, male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified phytic acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism. The trait may be, for example, conferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of the variety by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgene introduced through genetic transformation techniques. A locus may comprise one or more alleles integrated at a single chromosomal location.

Lodging resistance. This term refers to a variety's ability to remain erect. Lodging is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, wherein a score of 1 indicates erect plants and a score of 5 indicates plants that are lying on the ground.

Maturity. The maturity of a variety is measured as the number of days between planting and physiological maturity. This trait is useful in distinguishing varieties relative to one another and when used in this context it is referred to as “Relative Maturity”.

Oil content. Oil content is measured as a percent of the whole dried seed and is variety-specific. It can be determined using various analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and Soxhlet extraction.

Percent linolenic acid. This refers to the percent of total oil in the seed that is linolenic acid.

Percent oleic acid (OLE). OLE refers to the percent of total oil in the seed that is oleic acid.

Percentage of total fatty acids. This may be determined by extracting a sample of oil from seed, producing the methyl esters of fatty acids present in that oil sample and analyzing the proportions of the various fatty acids in the sample using gas chromatography. The fatty acid composition can also be a distinguishing characteristic of a variety.

Petal color. The petal color on the first day a flower opens can be a distinguishing characteristic for a variety. It can be white, varying shades of yellow, or orange.

Plant. As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which canola plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, pods, leaves, roots, root tips, anthers, cotyledons, hypocotyls, meristematic cells, stems, pistils, petiole, and an immature or mature whole plant, including a plant from which seed or grain or anthers have been removed. Seed or embryo that will produce the plant is also considered to be the plant.

Plant height. This is the height of the plant at the end of flowering if the floral branches are extended upright (i.e., not lodged). This varies from variety to variety and although it can be influenced by environment, relative comparisons between varieties grown side by side are useful for variety identification.

Plant parts. As used herein, the term “plant parts” (or “canola plant, or a part thereof” or similar phrasings) includes protoplasts, leaves, stems, roots, root tips, anthers, pistils, seed, grain, embryo, pollen, ovules, cotyledon, hypocotyl, pod, flower, shoot, tissue, petiole, cells, meristematic cells and the like.

Protein content. Protein content is measured as a percent of whole dried seed and may vary from variety to variety. This can be determined using various analytical techniques such as NIR and Kjeldahl.

Quantitative trait loci (QTL). This term refers to genetic loci that control to some degree numerically-representable traits that are usually continuously distributed.

Regeneration. Regeneration refers to the development of a plant from tissue culture.

Resistance to lodging. This term refers to the ability of a variety to stand up in the field under high yield conditions and severe environmental factors. A variety can have very good, good (remains upright), fair, or poor (falls over) resistance to lodging. The degree of resistance to lodging is not expressed under all conditions but is most meaningful when there is some degree of lodging in a field trial.

Seed coat color. The color of the seed coat can be variety-specific and can range from black to brown to yellow. Color can also be mixed for some varieties.

Seed coat mucilage. This refers to a gel-like substance on the seed coat that draws water to itself. It can be useful for differentiating between the two species of canola with B. rapa varieties having mucilage present in their seed coats whereas B. napus varieties do not have this present. It is detected by imbibing seeds with water and monitoring the mucilage that is exuded by the seed.

Seedling growth habit. This term refers to the rosette, which consists of the first 2-8 true leaves; a variety can be characterized as having a strong rosette (closely packed leaves) or a weak rosette (loosely arranged leaves).

Silique (pod) habit. This term refers to the orientation of the pods along the racemes (flowering stems) and is variety-specific. This trait can range from erect (pods angled close to racemes) to horizontal (pods perpendicular to racemes) to arching (pods show distinct arching habit).

Silique (pod) length of beak. The beak is the segment at the end of the pod which does not contain seed (it is a remnant of the stigma and style for the flower). The length of the beak can be variety-specific and can range from short to medium to long.

Silique (pod) length of pedicel. The pedicel is the stem that attaches the pod to the raceme or flowering shoot. The length of the pedicel can be variety-specific and can vary from short to medium to long.

Silique (pod) length. This is the length of the fully developed pods and can range from short to medium to long. In characterizing a variety, it is best used by making comparisons relative to reference varieties.

Silique (pod) type. The type of pod; this is typically a bilateral single pod for both species of canola and is, therefore, not very useful for variety identification within these species.

Silique (pod) width. This is the width of a fully developed pod and can range from narrow to medium to wide. In characterizing a variety, it is best used by making comparisons relative to reference varieties.

Single gene converted (conversion). This term refers to plants that are developed using a plant breeding technique known as backcrossing, or via genetic engineering, wherein essentially all of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to the single gene transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique or via genetic engineering.

Stem intensity of anthocyanin coloration. The varying degrees of purple coloration on stems and other organs of canola plants, which is due to the presence of anthocyanin (purple) pigments. The degree of coloration is somewhat subject to growing conditions, but varieties typically show varying degrees of coloration ranging from: absent (no purple) to very weak to very strong (deep purple coloration).

Total saturated (TOTSAT). Measured as a percent of the total oil of the seed, this refers to the amount of saturated fats in the oil including C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0 and C24.0.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not a limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.

According to the invention, there is provided a new canola line designated SCV218328. This invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola SCV218328 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing the canola SCV218328 with itself or another canola genotype, and to the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of canola SCV218328.

Thus, any such methods using the canola line SCV218328 are part of this invention, including but not limited to selfing, backcrossing, hybrid production, and crosses to populations. All plants produced using canola line SCV218328 as a parent are within the scope of this invention. In an embodiment, the canola line could be used in crosses with other different canola plants to produce first generation (F₁) canola hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides for single or multiple gene-converted plants of SCV218328. The transferred gene(s) may be a dominant or recessive allele. The transferred gene(s) may confer such traits as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, resistance for bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, male fertility, male sterility, enhanced nutritional quality, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified seed yield, modified oil percent, modified protein percent, modified lodging resistance, modified glucosinolate content, modified chlorophyll content and industrial usage. The gene may be a naturally occurring canola gene or a transgene introduced through genetic engineering techniques.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides regenerable cells for use in tissue culture of canola plant SCV218328. The tissue culture may be capable of regenerating plants having essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the foregoing canola plant, and capable of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotype as the foregoing canola plant. The regenerable cells in such tissue cultures may be embryos, protoplasts, meristematic cells, callus, pollen, leaves, anthers, pistils, cotyledons, roots, root tips, flowers, seeds, pods or stems. Still further, the present invention, in an embodiment, provides canola plants regenerated from the tissue cultures of the invention.

In a particular embodiment, the invention comprises a plant cell or a descendant of a plant cell of a Brassica plant designated variety SCV218328. In some embodiments, the descendant has the same desirable traits as the plant designated variety SCV218328.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of introducing a desired trait into canola line SCV218328, wherein the method comprises crossing a SCV218328 plant with a plant of another canola genotype that comprises a desired trait to produce F₁ progeny plants, wherein the desired trait is selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified seed yield, modified oil percent, modified protein percent, modified lodging resistance, and resistance to bacterial disease, fungal disease, or viral disease; selecting one or more progeny plants that have the desired trait to produce selected progeny plants; crossing the selected progeny plants with the SCV218328 plants to produce backcross progeny plants; selecting for backcross progeny plants that have the desired trait and essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and repeating these steps three or more times to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the desired trait and essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 as listed in Table 1. Included in this aspect of the invention is the plant produced by the method wherein the plant has the desired trait and essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 as listed in Table 1.

A. Origin and Breeding History

Spring canola variety SCV218328 was derived from an initial cross between the lines SCV360349 (available from Monsanto Company) and R2000 (an inbred line that contains a double zero restorer gene, confers cytoplasmic male sterility and is available from L'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, France). The initial cross was backcrossed to SCV360349 and the pedigree method of plant breeding was then used to develop SCV218328. Some of the criteria used for selection in various generations include: fertility, standability, disease tolerance, combining ability, herbicide tolerance, oil content, maturity and total saturated fats.

SCV218328 is a ROUNDUP READY®, pollen-fertile canola restorer inbred line (R-line) used for producing hybrids with resistance to blackleg and fusarium wilt. Canola line SCV218328 is stable, uniform and no off-type plants have been exhibited in evaluation. The line has shown uniformity and stability, as described in the following variety description information. It has been self-pollinated a sufficient number of generations with careful attention to uniformity of plant type. The line has been increased with continued observation for uniformity.

B. Phenotypic Description

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a canola plant having the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola variety SCV218328. A description of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola variety SCV218328 is presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of SCV218328 VALUE CHARACTERISTIC SCV218328 SCV378221* SCV119103* 1. PLANT Plant Height Tall Short Tall Maturity Late Early Mid late Resistance To Very Good Good Fair Lodging Blackleg Resistant Medium Resistant Resistance Resistant Fusarium Wilt Resistant Resistant Resistant Resistance Glyphosate Resistant Susceptible Susceptible Resistance Rf Restorer Gene From R2000 From “old” From “old” Source source (INRA) source (INRA) source (INRA) 2. SEED Coat Color Dark Brown to Black Black Black Oil Content 49.74% 48.38% 50.25% (% of whole seed @ 8.5% moisture)** Protein Content 44.89% 50.19% 45.09% (% defatted, dry meal)** Erucic Acid Trace Trace Trace Content Glucosinolate 18.44% 11.44% 11.20% Content** *SCV378221 and SCV119103 are proprietary canola inbred lines of Monsanto Technology LLC. **These are average values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment, the invention is directed to methods for producing a canola plant by crossing a first parent canola plant with a second parent canola plant, wherein the first or second canola plant is the canola plant from the line SCV218328. Further, both first and second parent canola plants may be from the line SCV218328. Any methods using the line SCV218328 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid breeding, and crosses to populations. Any plants produced using line SCV218328 as a parent are within the scope of the invention.

Additional methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, expression vectors introduced into plant tissues using a direct gene transfer method such as microprojectile-mediated delivery, DNA injection, and electroporation. Expression vectors may be introduced into plant tissues by using either microprojectile-mediated delivery with a biolistic device or by using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transformant plants obtained with the protoplasm of the invention are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

The advent of new molecular biological techniques has allowed the isolation and characterization of genetic elements with specific functions, such as encoding specific protein products. Scientists in the field of plant biology developed a strong interest in engineering the genome of plants to contain and express foreign genetic elements, or additional, or modified versions of native or endogenous genetic elements in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner. Any DNA sequences, whether from a different species or from the same species which are inserted into the genome using transformation, are referred to herein collectively as “transgenes”. In some embodiments of the invention, a transgenic variant of SCV218328 may contain at least one transgene but could contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 transgenes and/or no more than 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 transgenes. Over the last fifteen to twenty years several methods for producing transgenic plants have been developed, and the present invention also relates to transgenic variants of the claimed canola line SCV218328.

One embodiment of the invention is a process for producing canola line SCV218328 further comprising a desired trait, said process comprising transforming a canola plant of line SCV218328 with a transgene that confers a desired trait. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a canola plant produced by this process. In one embodiment, the desired trait may be one or more of herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, modified seed yield, modified oil percent, modified protein percent, modified lodging resistance, or modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism. The specific gene may be any gene known in the art or listed herein, including but not limited to a polynucleotide conferring resistance or tolerance to imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, Dicamba, L-phosphinothricin, triazine, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, phenoxy proprionic acid, cyclohexone, and benzonitrile; a polynucleotide encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding phytase, fatty acid desaturase (FAD)-2, FAD-3, galactinol synthase or a raffinose synthetic enzyme; or a polynucleotide conferring resistance to blackleg, white rust or other common canola diseases.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed and are included as part of the invention, including biological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, for example, Miki, et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA into Plants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 67-88 and “Genetic Transformation for the Improvement of Canola”, in World Conference on Biotechnology for the Fats and Oils Industry. 1988. In addition, expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cell or tissue transformation and regeneration of plants are available and are included within the invention. See e.g. Gruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119.

As an embodiment of the invention, a genetic trait which has been engineered into the genome of a particular canola plant may then be moved into the genome of another variety using traditional breeding techniques that are well-known in the plant breeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach may be used to move a transgene from a transformed canola variety into an already-developed canola variety, and the resulting backcross conversion plant would then comprise the transgene(s).

As an embodiment of the invention, various genetic elements can be introduced into the plant genome using transformation techniques. These elements include, but are not limited to genes, coding sequences, inducible, constitutive, and tissue specific promoters, enhancing sequences, and signal and targeting sequences. For example, see the traits, genes and transformation methods listed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,055, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Plant transformation involves the construction of an expression vector which will function in plant cells. Such a vector comprises DNA comprising a gene under control of or operatively linked to a regulatory element (for example, a promoter). The expression vector may contain one or more such operably linked gene/regulatory element combinations. The vector(s) may be in the form of a plasmid, and can be used alone or in combination with other plasmids, to provide transformed canola plants, using transformation methods as described below to incorporate transgenes into the genetic material of the canola plant(s).

Expression Vectors for Canola Transformation: Marker Genes

Expression vectors include at least one genetic marker operably linked to a regulatory element (a promoter, for example) that allows transformed cells containing the marker to be either recovered by negative selection, i.e., inhibiting growth of cells that do not contain the selectable marker gene, or by positive selection, i.e., screening for the product encoded by the genetic marker. Any selectable marker known in the art and/or discussed herein may be used in the present invention. Many commonly used selectable marker genes for plant transformation are well-known in the transformation arts, and include, for example, genes that code for enzymes that metabolically detoxify a selective chemical agent which may be an antibiotic or an herbicide, or genes that encode an altered target which is insensitive to the inhibitor. A few positive selection methods are also known in the art.

One commonly used selectable marker gene for plant transformation is the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene which, when under the control of plant regulatory signals, confers resistance to kanamycin. Fraley, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 80:4803 (1983). Another commonly used selectable marker gene is the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene which confers resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin. Vanden Elzen, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 5:299 (1985).

Additional selectable marker genes of bacterial origin that confer resistance to antibiotics include gentamycin acetyl transferase, streptomycin phosphotransferase, aminoglycoside-3′-adenyl transferase and the bleomycin resistance determinant. Hayford, et al., Plant Physiol. 86:1216(1988), Jones, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 210:86(1987), Svab, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 14:197 (1990) Hille, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 7:171 (1986). Other selectable marker genes confer resistance or tolerance to herbicides such as glyphosate, glufosinate or bromoxynil. Comai, et al., Nature 317:741-744 (1985), Gordon-Kamm, et al., Plant Cell 2:603-618 (1990) and Stalker, et al., Science 242:419-423 (1988).

Selectable marker genes for plant transformation not of bacterial origin include, for example, mouse dihydrofolate reductase, plant 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase and plant acetolactate synthase. Eichholtz, et al., Somatic Cell Mol Genet. 13:67 (1987), Shah, et al., Science 233:478 (1986), Charest, et al., Plant Cell Rep. 8:643 (1990).

Another class of marker genes for plant transformation requires screening of presumptively transformed plant cells rather than direct genetic selection of transformed cells for resistance to a toxic substance such as an antibiotic. These genes are particularly useful to quantify or visualize the spatial pattern of expression of a gene in specific tissues and are frequently referred to as reporter genes because they can be fused to a gene or gene regulatory sequence for the investigation of gene expression. Commonly used genes for screening presumptively transformed cells include β-glucuronidase (GUS), β-galactosidase, luciferase and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. Jefferson, R. A., Plant Mol. Biol Rep. 5:387 (1987), Teeri, et al., EMBO J. 8:343 (1989), Koncz, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.S.A. 84:131 (1987), DeBlock, et al., EMBO J. 3:1681 (1984).

In vivo methods for visualizing GUS activity that do not require destruction of plant tissue are available. Molecular Probes publication 2908, IMAGENE GREEN J., p. 1-4 (1993) and Naleway, et al., J. Cell Biol. 115:151a (1991). However, these in vivo methods for visualizing GUS activity have not proven useful for recovery of transformed cells because of low sensitivity, high fluorescent backgrounds and limitations associated with the use of luciferase genes as selectable markers.

More recently, a gene encoding Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) has been utilized as a marker for gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Chalfie, et al., Science 263:802 (1994). GFP and mutants of GFP may be used as screenable markers.

Expression Vectors for Canola Transformation: Promoters

Genes included in expression vectors must be driven by a nucleotide sequence comprising a regulatory element, for example, a promoter. Any promoter known in the art and/or discussed herein may be used in the present invention. Several types of promoters are now well-known in the transformation arts, as are other regulatory elements that can be used alone or in combination with promoters.

As used herein, “promoter” includes reference to a region of DNA upstream from the start of transcription and involved in recognition and binding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to initiate transcription. A “plant promoter” is a promoter capable of initiating transcription in plant cells. Examples of promoters under developmental control include promoters that preferentially initiate transcription in certain tissues, such as leaves, roots, seeds, fibers, xylem vessels, tracheids, or sclerenchyma. Such promoters are referred to as “tissue-preferred”. Promoters which initiate transcription only in certain tissues are referred to as “tissue-specific”. A “cell type” specific promoter primarily drives expression in certain cell types in one or more organs, for example, vascular cells in roots or leaves. An “inducible” promoter is a promoter which is under environmental control. Examples of environmental conditions that may effect transcription by inducible promoters include anaerobic conditions or the presence of light. Tissue-specific, tissue-preferred, cell type specific, and inducible promoters constitute the class of “non-constitutive” promoters. A “constitutive” promoter is a promoter which is active under most environmental conditions.

-   -   A. Inducible Promoters—An inducible promoter is operably linked         to a gene for expression in canola. Optionally, the inducible         promoter is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a         signal sequence which is operably linked to a gene for         expression in canola. With an inducible promoter the rate of         transcription increases in response to an inducing agent.     -   Any inducible promoter can be used in the instant invention. See         Ward, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 22:361-366 (1993). Exemplary         inducible promoters include, but are not limited to, that from         the activating copper-metallothionein expression I (ACEI) system         which responds to copper (Mett, et al., PNAS 90:4567-4571         (1993)); In2 gene from maize which responds to         benzenesulfonamide herbicide safeners (Hershey, et al., Mol. Gen         Genetics 227:229-237 (1991) and Gatz, et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics         243:32-38 (1994)) or Tet repressor from Tn10 (Gatz, et al., Mol.         Gen. Genetics 227:229-237 (1991)). A particular inducible         promoter responds to an inducing agent to which plants do not         normally respond. An exemplary inducible promoter is the         inducible promoter from a steroid hormone gene, the         transcriptional activity of which is induced by a         glucocorticosteroid hormone. Schena, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.         Sci. U.S.A. 88:0421 (1991).     -   B. Constitutive Promoters—A constitutive promoter is operably         linked to a gene for expression in canola or the constitutive         promoter is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a         signal sequence which is operably linked to a gene for         expression in canola.     -   Many different constitutive promoters can be utilized in the         instant invention. Exemplary constitutive promoters include, but         are not limited to, the promoters from plant viruses such as the         35S promoter from CaMV (Odell, et al., Nature 313:810-812         (1985)) and the promoters from such genes as rice actin         (McElroy, et al., Plant Cell 2:163-171 (1990)); ubiquitin         (Christensen, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 12:619-632 (1989) and         Christensen, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 18:675-689 (1992)); pEMU         (Last, et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 81:581-588 (1991)); MAS         (Velten, et al., EMBO J. 3:2723-2730 (1984)) and maize H3         histone (Lepetit, et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics 231:276-285 (1992)         and Atanassova, et al., Plant Journal 2 (3): 291-300 (1992)).         The ALS promoter, Xbal/Ncol fragment 5′ to the Brassica napus         ALS3 structural gene (or a nucleotide sequence similarity to         said Xbal/Ncol fragment), represents a particularly useful         constitutive promoter. See PCT Application No. WO 96/30530,         incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.     -   C. Tissue-Specific or Tissue-Preferred Promoters—A         tissue-specific promoter is operably linked to a gene for         expression in canola. Optionally, the tissue-specific promoter         is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal         sequence which is operably linked to a gene for expression in         canola. Plants transformed with a gene of interest operably         linked to a tissue-specific promoter produce the protein product         of the transgene exclusively, or preferentially, in a specific         tissue.     -   Any tissue-specific or tissue-preferred promoter can be utilized         in the instant invention. Exemplary tissue-specific or         tissue-preferred promoters include, but are not limited to, a         root-preferred promoter such as that from the phaseolin gene         (Murai, et al., Science 23:476-482 (1983) and Sengupta-Gopalan,         et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:3320-3324 (1985)); a         leaf-specific and light-induced promoter such as that from cab         or rubisco (Simpson, et al., EMBO J. 4(11):2723-2729 (1985) and         Timko, et al., Nature 318:579-582 (1985)); an anther-specific         promoter such as that from LAT52 (Twell, et al., Mol. Gen.         Genetics 217:240-245 (1989)); a pollen-specific promoter such as         that from Zm13 (Guerrero, et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics 244:161-168         (1993)) or a microspore-preferred promoter such as that from apg         (Twell, et al., Sex. Plant Reprod. 6:217-224 (1993)).

Signal Sequences for Targeting Proteins to Subcellular Compartments

Transport of protein produced by transgenes to a subcellular compartment such as the chloroplast, vacuole, peroxisome, glyoxysome, cell wall or mitochondrion or for secretion into the apoplast, is accomplished by means of operably linking the nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence to the 5′ and/or 3′ region of a gene encoding the protein of interest. Targeting sequences at the 5′ and/or 3′ end of the structural gene may determine, during protein synthesis and processing, where the encoded protein is ultimately compartmentalized.

The presence of a signal sequence directs a polypeptide to either an intracellular organelle or subcellular compartment or for secretion to the apoplast. Many signal sequences are known in the art. See e.g. Becker, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 20:49 (1992), Knox, C., et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 9:3-17 (1987), Lerner, et al., Plant Physiol. 91:124-129 (1989), Fontes, et al., Plant Cell 3:483-496 (1991), Matsuoka, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88:834 (1991), Gould, et al., J. Cell. Biol. 108:1657 (1989), Creissen, et al., Plant J. 2:129 (1991), Kalderon, et al., Cell 39:499-509 (1984), Steifel, et al., Plant Cell 2:785-793 (1990). Any signal sequence known in the art and/or discussed herein may be used in the present invention.

Foreign Protein Genes and Agronomic Genes

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreign protein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques for the selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are well understood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which are harvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign protein then can be extracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Protein extraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods which are discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem. 114:92-6 (1981).

According to an embodiment, the transgenic plant provided for commercial production of foreign protein is a canola plant. In another embodiment, the biomass of interest is seed. For the relatively small number of transgenic plants that show higher levels of expression, a genetic map can be generated, primarily via conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), short sequence repeats (SSR) analysis, which identifies the approximate chromosomal location of the integrated DNA molecule. For exemplary methodologies in this regard, see Glick and Thompson, Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology CRC Press, Boca Raton 269:284 (1993). Map information concerning chromosomal location is useful for proprietary protection of a subject transgenic plant. If unauthorized propagation is undertaken and crosses made with other germplasm, the map of the integration region can be compared to similar maps for suspect plants, to determine if the latter have a common parentage with the subject plant. Map comparisons would involve hybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR and sequencing, all of which are conventional techniques.

Wang, et al. discuss “Large Scale Identification, Mapping and Genotyping of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Human Genome”, Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998, and similar capabilities are becoming increasingly available for the canola genome. Map information concerning chromosomal location is useful for proprietary protection of a subject transgenic plant. If unauthorized propagation is undertaken and crosses made with other germplasm, the map of the integration region can be compared to similar maps for suspect plants to determine if the latter have a common parentage with the subject plant. Map comparisons would involve hybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR and sequencing, all of which are conventional techniques. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s may also be used alone or in combination with other techniques.

In an embodiment of the present invention, plants can be genetically engineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest. Through the transformation of canola the expression of genes can be altered to enhance disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, agronomic, grain quality and other traits. Transformation can also be used to insert DNA sequences which control or help control male-sterility. DNA sequences native to canola as well as non-native DNA sequences can be transformed into canola and used to alter levels of native or non-native proteins. Various promoters, targeting sequences, enhancing sequences, and other DNA sequences can be inserted into the genome for the purpose of altering the expression of proteins. Reduction of the activity of specific genes (also known as gene silencing, or gene suppression) may also desirable for several aspects of genetic engineering in plants.

Many techniques for gene silencing are well-known to one of skill in the art, including but not limited to knock-outs (such as by insertion of a transposable element such as mu (Vicki Chandler, The Maize Handbook ch. 118, Springer-Verlag, 1994) or other genetic elements such as a FRT, Lox or other site specific integration site, antisense technology (see, e.g., Sheehy, et al. (1988) PNAS USA 85:8805-8809; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,107,065; 5,453,566; and 5,759,829, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety); co-suppression (e.g., Taylor (1997) Plant Cell 9:1245; Jorgensen (1990) Trends Biotech. 8(12):340-344; Flavell (1994) PNAS USA 91:3490-3496; Finnegan, et al. (1994) Bio/Technology 12: 883-888; and Neuhuber, et al. (1994) Mol. Gen. Genet. 244:230-241); RNA interference (Napoli, et al. (1990) Plant Cell 2:279-289; U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,323, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety; Sharp (1999) Genes Dev. 13:139-141; Zamore, et al. (2000) Cell 101:25-33; and Montgomery, et al. (1998) PNAS USA 95:15502-15507), virus-induced gene silencing (Burton, et al. (2000) Plant Cell 12:691-705; and Baulcombe (1999) Curr. Op. Plant Bio. 2:109-113); target-RNA-specific ribozymes (Haseloff, et al. (1988) Nature 334: 585-591); hairpin structures (Smith, et al. (2000) Nature 407:319-320; WO 99/53050; and WO 98/53083), incorporated by reference herein in their entirety; MicroRNA (Aukerman & Sakai (2003) Plant Cell 15:2730-2741); ribozymes (Steinecke, et al. (1992) EMBO J. 11:1525; and Perriman, et al. (1993) Antisense Res. Dev. 3:253); oligonucleotide mediated targeted modification (e.g., WO 03/076574 and WO 99/25853, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety); Zn-finger targeted molecules (e.g., WO 01/52620; WO 03/048345; and WO 00/42219, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety); and other methods or combinations of the above methods known to those of skill in the art.

Likewise, by means of the present invention, agronomic genes can be expressed in transformed plants. More particularly, plants can be genetically engineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest. Exemplary genes implicated in this regard include, but are not limited to, those categorized below:

-   -   1. Genes That Confer Resistance to Pests or Disease and That         Encode:         -   A. Plant disease resistance genes. Plant defenses are often             activated by specific interaction between the product of a             disease resistance gene (R) in the plant and the product of             a corresponding avirulence (Avr) gene in the pathogen. A             plant variety can be transformed with cloned resistance             genes to engineer plants that are resistant to specific             pathogen strains. See, for example Jones, et al., Science             266:789 (1994) (cloning of the tomato Cf-9 gene for             resistance to Cladosporium fulvum); Martin, et al., Science             262:1432 (1993) (tomato Pto gene for resistance to             Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes a protein kinase);             Mindrinos, et al., Cell 78:1089 (1994) (Arabidopsis RSP2             gene for resistance to Pseudomonas syringae), McDowell &             Woffenden, (2003) Trends Biotechnol. 21(4): 178-83 and             Toyoda, et al., (2002) Transgenic Res. 11 (6):567-82.         -   B. A gene conferring resistance to fungal pathogens, such as             oxalate oxidase or oxalate decarboxylase (Zhou, et             al., (1998) Pl. Physiol. 117:33-41).         -   C. A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof or             a synthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example,             Geiser, et al., Gene 48:109 (1986), who disclose the cloning             and nucleotide sequence of a Bt δ-endotoxin gene. Moreover,             DNA molecules encoding δ-endotoxin genes can be purchased             from American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va., for             example, under ATCC Accession Nos. 40098, 67136, 31995 and             31998.         -   D. A lectin. See, for example, the disclosure by Van Damme,             et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 24:25 (1994), who disclose the             nucleotide sequences of several Clivia miniata             mannose-binding lectin genes.         -   E. A vitamin-binding protein such as avidin. See PCT             Application No. WO 93/06487, incorporated by reference             herein in its entirety. The application teaches the use of             avidin and avidin homologues as larvicides against insect             pests.         -   F. An enzyme inhibitor, for example, a protease or             proteinase inhibitor or an amylase inhibitor. See, for             example, Abe, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262:16793 (1987)             (nucleotide sequence of rice cysteine proteinase inhibitor),             Huub, et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:985 (1993) (nucleotide             sequence of cDNA encoding tobacco proteinase inhibitor I),             Sumitani, et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 57:1243 (1993)             (nucleotide sequence of Streptomyces nitrosporeus α-amylase             inhibitor) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,813 (Hepher and Atkinson,             issued Feb. 27, 1996), incorporated herein by reference in             its entirety.         -   G. An insect-specific hormone or pheromone such as an             ecdysteroid or juvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a             mimetic based thereon, or an antagonist or agonist thereof.             See, for example, the disclosure by Hammock, et al., Nature             344:458 (1990), of baculovirus expression of cloned juvenile             hormone esterase, an inactivator of juvenile hormone.         -   H. An insect-specific peptide or neuropeptide which, upon             expression, disrupts the physiology of the affected pest.             For example, see the disclosures of Regan, J. Biol. Chem.             269:9 (1994) (expression cloning yields DNA coding for             insect diuretic hormone receptor), and Pratt, et al.,             Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 163:1243 (1989) (an allostatin             is identified in Diploptera puntata). See also U.S. Pat. No.             5,266,317, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety,             to Tomalski, et al., who disclose genes encoding             insect-specific, paralytic neurotoxins.         -   I. An insect-specific venom produced in nature by a snake, a             wasp, etc. For example, see Pang, et al., Gene 116:165             (1992), for disclosure of heterologous expression in plants             of a gene coding for a scorpion insectotoxic peptide.         -   J. An enzyme responsible for a hyperaccumulation of a             monoterpene, a sesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a             phenylpropanoid derivative or another non-protein molecule             with insecticidal activity.         -   K. An enzyme involved in the modification, including the             post-translational modification, of a biologically active             molecule; for example, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic             enzyme, a lipolytic enzyme, a nuclease, a cyclase, a             transaminase, an esterase, a hydrolase, a phosphatase, a             kinase, a phosphorylase, a polymerase, an elastase, a             chitinase and a glucanase, whether natural or synthetic. See             PCT Application No. WO 93/02197, incorporated herein by             reference in its entirety, in the name of Scott, et al.,             which discloses the nucleotide sequence of a callase gene.             DNA molecules which contain chitinase-encoding sequences can             be obtained, for example, from the ATCC under Accession Nos.             39637 and 67152. See also Kramer, et al., Insect Biochem.             Molec. Biol. 23:691 (1993), who teach the nucleotide             sequence of a cDNA encoding tobacco hornworm chitinase, and             Kawalleck, et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:673 (1993), who             provide the nucleotide sequence of the parsley ubi4-2             polyubiquitin gene, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,145,060, 7,087,810 and             6,563,020, incorporated by reference herein in their             entirety.         -   L. A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For             example, see the disclosure by Botella, et al., Plant Molec.             Biol. 24:757 (1994), of nucleotide sequences for mung bean             calmodulin cDNA clones, and Griess, et al., Plant Physiol.             104:1467 (1994), who provide the nucleotide sequence of a             maize calmodulin cDNA clone.         -   M. A hydrophobic moment peptide. See PCT Application No. WO             95/16776 (disclosure of peptide derivatives of Tachyplesin             which inhibit fungal plant pathogens) and PCT application WO             95/18855 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,914 which teaches synthetic             antimicrobial peptides that confer disease resistance, each             of which is incorporated by reference herein in its             entirety.         -   N. A membrane permease, a channel former or a channel             blocker. For example, see the disclosure of Jaynes, et al.,             Plant Sci 89:43 (1993), of heterologous expression of a             cecropin-β, lytic peptide analog to render transgenic             tobacco plants resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum.         -   O. A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived             therefrom. For example, the accumulation of viral coat             proteins in transformed plant cells imparts resistance to             viral infection and/or disease development effected by the             virus from which the coat protein gene is derived, as well             as by related viruses. See Beachy, et al., Ann. rev.             Phytopathol. 28:451 (1990). Coat protein-mediated resistance             has been conferred upon transformed plants against alfalfa             mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tobacco streak virus,             potato virus X, potato virus Y, tobacco etch virus, tobacco             rattle virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Id.         -   P. An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived             therefrom. Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical             metabolic function in the insect gut would inactivate an             affected enzyme, killing the insect. Cf. Taylor, et al.,             Abstract #497, Seventh Int'l Symposium on Molecular             Plant-Microbe Interactions (Edinburgh, Scotland) (1994)             (enzymatic inactivation in transgenic tobacco via production             of single-chain antibody fragments).         -   Q. A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki,             et al., Nature 366:469 (1993), who show that transgenic             plants expressing recombinant antibody genes are protected             from virus attack.         -   R. A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a             pathogen or a parasite. Thus, fungal             endo-α-1,4-D-polygalacturonases facilitate fungal             colonization and plant nutrient release by solubilizing             plant cell wall homo-α-1,4-D-galacturonase. See Lamb, et             al., Bio/Technology 10:1436 (1992). The cloning and             characterization of a gene which encodes a bean             endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting protein is described by             Toubart, et al., Plant J. 2:367 (1992).         -   S. A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a             plant. For example, Logemann, et al., Bio/Technology 10:305             (1992), have shown that transgenic plants expressing the             barley ribosome-inactivating gene have an increased             resistance to fungal disease.         -   T. Genes involved in the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR)             Response and/or the pathogenesis-related genes. Briggs, S.,             Current Biology, 5(2) (1995); Pieterse & Van Loon (2004)             Curr. Opin. Plant Bio. 7(4):456-64 and Somssich (2003) Cell             113(7):815-6.         -   U. Antifungal genes. See Comelissen and Melchers, Plant             Physiol., 101:709-712 (1993); Parijs, et al., Planta             183:258-264 (1991) and Bushnell, et al., Can. J. of Plant             Path. 20(2):137-149 (1998); see also U.S. Pat. No.             6,875,907, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.         -   V. Detoxification genes, such as for fumonisin, beauvericin,             moniliformin and zearalenone and their structurally related             derivatives. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,931,             incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.         -   W. Cystatin and cysteine proteinase inhibitors. See U.S.             Pat. No. 7,205,453, incorporated by reference herein in its             entirety.         -   X. Defensin genes. See WO 03/000863 and U.S. Pat. No.             6,911,577, incorporated by reference herein in their             entirety.         -   Y. Genes that confer resistance to Phytophthora root rot,             such as the Brassica equivalents of the Rps 1, Rps 1-a, Rps             1-b, Rps 1-c, Rps 1-d, Rps 1-e, Rps 1-k, Rps 2, Rps 3-a, Rps             3-b, Rps 3-c, Rps 4, Rps 5, Rps 6, Rps 7 and other Rps             genes. See, for example, Shoemaker, et al., Phytophthora             Root Rot Resistance Gene Mapping in Soybean, Plant Genome IV             Conference, San Diego, Calif. (1995).     -   2. Genes That Confer Resistance or Tolerance to an Herbicide:         -   A. An herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem,             such as an imidazolinone or a sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes             in this category code for mutant ALS and AHAS enzyme as             described, for example, by Lee, et al., EMBO J. 7:1241             (1988), and Miki, et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 80:449 (1990),             respectively.         -   B. Glyphosate (resistance or tolerance conferred by mutant             5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP) and aroA             genes, respectively) and other phosphono compounds such as             glufosinate (phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) and             Streptomyces hygroscopicus PAT bar genes), and pyridinoxy or             phenoxy proprionic acids and cyclohexones (ACCase             inhibitor-encoding genes). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.             4,940,835 to Shah, et al., incorporated by reference herein             in its entirety, which discloses the nucleotide sequence of             a form of EPSP which can confer glyphosate resistance or             tolerance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,061 to Barry, et al.,             incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, also             describes genes encoding EPSPS enzymes. See also U.S. Pat.             Nos. 6,566,587; 6,338,961; 6,248,876 B1; 6,040,497;             5,804,425; 5,633,435; 5,145,783; 4,971,908; 5,312,910;             5,188,642; 4,940,835; 5,866,775; 6,225,114 B1; 6,130,366;             5,310,667; 4,535,060; 4,769,061; 5,633,448; 5,510,471; Re.             36,449; RE 37,287 E; and 5,491,288; and international             publications EP1173580; WO 01/66704; EP1173581 and             EP1173582, which are each incorporated herein by reference             in their entireties. Glyphosate resistance or tolerance is             also imparted to plants that express a gene that encodes a             glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme as described more fully in             U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,776,760 and 5,463,175, which are             incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In             addition glyphosate resistance or tolerance can be imparted             to plants by the overexpression of genes encoding glyphosate             N-acetyltransferase. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.             7,462,481, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.             A DNA molecule encoding a mutant aroA gene can be obtained             under ATCC accession number 39256, and the nucleotide             sequence of the mutant gene is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.             4,769,061 to Comai, incorporated herein by reference in its             entirety. European patent application No. 0 333 033 to             Kumada, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374 to Goodman, et             al., incorporated by reference herein in their entireties,             disclose nucleotide sequences of glutamine synthetase genes             which confer resistance or tolerance to herbicides such as             L-phosphinothricin.         -   The nucleotide sequence of a PAT gene is provided in             European application No. 0 242 246 to Leemans, et al.,             incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, DeGreef,             et al., Bio/Technology 7:61 (1989), describe the production             of transgenic plants that express chimeric bar genes coding             for PAT activity. Exemplary of genes conferring resistance             or tolerance to phenoxy proprionic acids and cyclohexones,             such as sethoxydim and haloxyfop are the Accl-S1, Accl-S2             and Accl-S3 genes described by Marshall, et al., Theor.             Appl. Genet. 83:435 (1992).         -   C. An herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis, such as a             triazine (psbA and gs+ genes) and a benzonitrile (nitrilase             gene). Przibila, et al., Plant Cell 3:169 (1991), describe             the transformation of Chlamydomonas with plasmids encoding             mutant psbA genes. Nucleotide sequences for nitrilase genes             are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,648 to Stalker,             incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and DNA             molecules containing these genes are available under ATCC             Accession Nos. 53435, 67441, and 67442. Cloning and             expression of DNA coding for a glutathione S-transferase is             described by Hayes, et al., Biochem. J. 285:173 (1992).         -   D. Acetohydroxy acid synthase, which has been found to make             plants that express this enzyme resistant to multiple types             of herbicides, has been introduced into a variety of plants.             See Hattori, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 246:419, 1995. Other             genes that confer tolerance to herbicides include a gene             encoding a chimeric protein of rat cytochrome P4507A1 and             yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Shiota, et al.,             Plant Physiol., 106:17, 1994), genes for glutathione             reductase and superoxide dismutase (Aono, et al., Plant Cell             Physiol. 36:1687, 1995), and genes for various             phosphotransferases (Datta, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 20:619,             1992).         -   E. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) is necessary for the             production of chlorophyll, which is necessary for all plant             survival. The protox enzyme serves as the target for a             variety of herbicidal compounds. These herbicides also             inhibit growth of all the different species of plants             present, causing their total destruction. The development of             plants containing altered protox activity which are             resistant to these herbicides are described in U.S. Pat.             Nos. 6,288,306; 6,282,837; 5,767,373; and international             publication WO 01/12825, each of which is incorporated by             reference herein in its entirety.     -   3. Genes That Confer or Contribute to a Value-Added Trait:         -   A. Modified fatty acid metabolism, for example, by             transforming a plant with an antisense gene of stearyl-ACP             desaturase to increase stearic acid content of the plant.             See Knultzon, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89:2624             (1992).         -   B. Decreased phytate content: 1) Introduction of a             phytase-encoding gene would enhance breakdown of phytate,             adding more free phosphate to the transformed plant. For             example, see Van Hartingsveldt, et al., Gene 127:87 (1993),             for a disclosure of the nucleotide sequence of an             Aspergillus niger phytase gene. 2) A gene could be             introduced that reduced phytate content. In maize for             example, this could be accomplished by cloning and then             reintroducing DNA associated with the single allele which is             responsible for maize mutants characterized by low levels of             phytic acid. See Raboy, et al., Maydica 35:383 (1990) and/or             by altering inositol kinase activity as in WO 02/059324,             U.S. Pat. No. 7,067,720, WO 03/027243, US2003/0079247, WO             99/05298, U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,561, U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,224,             U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,348, WO 2002/059324, WO 98/45448, WO             99/55882, WO 01/04147, each of which is incorporated by             reference herein in its entirety.         -   C. Modified carbohydrate composition effected, for example,             by transforming plants with a gene coding for an enzyme that             alters the branching pattern of starch, or, a gene altering             thioredoxin such as NTR and/or TRX (See U.S. Pat. No.             6,531,648, which is incorporated by reference herein in its             entirety) and/or a gamma zein knock out or mutant such as             cs27 or TUSC27 or en27 (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,858,778 and U.S.             Patent Application Nos. 2005/0160488, 2005/0204418; which             are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties).             See Shiroza, et al., J. Bacteriol. 170: 810 (1988)             (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutans             fructosyltransferase gene), Steinmetz, et al., Mol. Gen.             Genet. 200: 220 (1985) (nucleotide sequence of Bacillus             subtilis levansucrase gene), Pen, et al., Bio/Technology 10:             292 (1992) (production of transgenic plants that express             Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase), Elliot, et al., Plant             Molec. Biol. 21: 515 (1993) (nucleotide sequences of tomato             invertase genes), Sogaard, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268:             22480 (1993) (site-directed mutagenesis of barley             alpha-amylase gene), and Fisher, et al., Plant Physiol. 102:             1045 (1993) (maize endosperm starch branching enzyme II), WO             99/10498 (improved digestibility and/or starch extraction             through modification of UDP-D-xylose 4-epimerase, Fragile 1             and 2, Ref 1, HCHL, C4H), U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,529 (method of             producing high oil seed by modification of starch levels             (AGP)), each of which is incorporated by reference herein in             its entirety. The fatty acid modification genes mentioned             above may also be used to affect starch content and/or             composition through the interrelationship of the starch and             oil pathways.         -   D. Elevated oleic acid via FAD-2 gene modification and/or             decreased linolenic acid via FAD-3 gene modification. See             U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,063,947; 6,323,392; and international             publication WO 93/11245, each of which is incorporated by             reference herein in its entirety.         -   E. Altering conjugated linolenic or linoleic acid content,             such as in WO 01/12800, incorporated herein by reference in             its entirety. Altering LEC1, AGP, Dek1, Superal1, mi1ps,             various Ipa genes such as Ipa1, Ipa3, hpt or hggt. For             example, see WO 02/42424, WO 98/22604, WO 03/011015, U.S.             Pat. Nos. 6,423,886, 6,197,561, 6,825,397, 7,157,621, U.S.             Patent Application No. 2003/0079247, International             publications WO 02/057439 and WO 03/011015 and             Rivera-Madrid, R., et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.             92:5620-5624 (1995), each of which is incorporated by             reference in its entirety.         -   F. Altered antioxidant content or composition, such as             alteration of tocopherol or tocotrienols. For example, see             U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,787,683 and 7,154,029 and WO 00/68393             involving the manipulation of antioxidant levels through             alteration of a phytl prenyl transferase (ppt), WO 03/082899             through alteration of a homogentisate geranyl geranyl             transferase (hggt), each of which is incorporated by             reference in its entirety.         -   G. Altered essential seed amino acids. For example, see U.S.             Pat. No. 6,127,600 (method of increasing accumulation of             essential amino acids in seeds), U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,913             (binary methods of increasing accumulation of essential             amino acids in seeds), U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,389 (high             lysine), WO 99/40209 (alteration of amino acid compositions             in seeds), WO 99/29882 (methods for altering amino acid             content of proteins), U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,016 (alteration of             amino acid compositions in seeds), WO 98/20133 (proteins             with enhanced levels of essential amino acids), U.S. Pat.             No. 5,885,802 (high methionine), U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,801             (high threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,445 (plant amino acid             biosynthetic enzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,019 (increased             lysine and threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,274 (plant             tryptophan synthase beta subunit), U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,403             (methionine metabolic enzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,599             (high sulfur), U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,414 (increased             methionine), WO 98/56935 (plant amino acid biosynthetic             enzymes), WO 98/45458 (engineered seed protein having higher             percentage of essential amino acids), WO 98/42831 (increased             lysine), U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,436 (increasing sulfur amino             acid content), U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,223 (synthetic storage             proteins with defined structure containing programmable             levels of essential amino acids for improvement of the             nutritional value of plants), WO 96/01905 (increased             threonine), WO 95/15392 (increased lysine), U.S. Pat. Nos.             6,930,225, 7,179,955, U.S. Patent Application No.             2004/0068767, U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,498, WO 01/79516, and WO             00/09706 (Ces A: cellulose synthase), U.S. Pat. No.             6,194,638 (hemicellulose), U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,859 and U.S.             Pat. No. 7,098,381 (UDPGdH), U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,638 (RGP),             each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.     -   4. Genes that Control Male Sterility:         -   There are several methods of conferring genetic male             sterility available, such as multiple mutant genes at             separate locations within the genome that confer male             sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,465 and             4,727,219 to Brar, et al. and chromosomal translocations as             described by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and             3,710,511, each of which is incorporated by reference in its             entirety. In addition to these methods, Albertsen, et al,             U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,068, incorporated by reference in its             entirety, describe a system of nuclear male sterility which             includes: identifying a gene which is critical to male             fertility; silencing this native gene which is critical to             male fertility; removing the native promoter from the             essential male fertility gene and replacing it with an             inducible promoter; inserting this genetically engineered             gene back into the plant; and thus creating a plant that is             male sterile because the inducible promoter is not “on”             resulting in the male fertility gene not being transcribed.             Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning “on”, the             promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male             fertility to be transcribed.         -   A. Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of a             tapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the             chemical N-Ac-PPT. See PCT Application No. WO 01/29237,             incorporated by reference in its entirety.         -   B. Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters. See             PCT Application Nos. WO 92/13956 and WO 92/13957, each of             which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.         -   C. Introduction of the barnase and the barstar genes. See             Paul, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 19:611-622, 1992).         -   For additional examples of nuclear male and female sterility             systems and genes, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,859,341; 6,297,426;             5,478,369; 5,824,524; 5,850,014; and 6,265,640, each of             which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.     -   5. Genes that Create a Site for Site-Specific DNA Integration:         -   This includes the introduction of FRT sites that may be used             in the FLP/FRT system and/or Lox sites that may be used in             the Cre/Loxp system. For example, see Lyznik, et al.,             Site-Specific Recombination for Genetic Engineering in             Plants, Plant Cell Rep (2003) 21:925-932 and WO 99/25821,             each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.             Other systems that may be used include the Gin recombinase             of phage Mu (Maeser, et al, 1991; Vicki Chandler, The Maize             Handbook ch. 118, Springer-Verlag, 1994), the Pin             recombinase of E. coli (Enomoto, et al., 1983), and the R/RS             system of the pSR1 plasmid (Araki, et al., 1992).     -   6. Genes that Affect Abiotic Stress Resistance:         -   Genes that affect abiotic stress resistance (including but             not limited to flowering, pod and seed development,             enhancement of nitrogen utilization efficiency, altered             nitrogen responsiveness, drought resistance or tolerance,             cold resistance or tolerance, and salt resistance or             tolerance) and increased yield under stress. For example,             see WO 00/73475 where water use efficiency is altered             through alteration of malate; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,892,009,             5,965,705, 5,929,305, 5,891,859, 6,417,428, 6,664,446,             6,706,866, 6,717,034, 6,801,104, international patent             publications WO 2000/060089, WO 2001/026459, WO 2001/035725,             WO 2001/034726, WO 2001/035727, WO 2001/036444, WO             2001/036597, WO 2001/036598, WO 2002/015675, WO 2002/017430,             WO 2002/077185, WO 2002/079403, WO 2003/013227, WO             2003/013228, WO 2003/014327, WO 2004/031349, WO 2004/076638,             WO 98/09521, and WO 99/38977, each of which is incorporated             by reference in its entirety, describing genes, including             CBF genes and transcription factors effective in mitigating             the negative effects of freezing, high salinity, and drought             on plants, as well as conferring other positive effects on             plant phenotype; U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0148654             and international publication WO 01/36596, each of which is             incorporated by reference in its entirety, where abscisic             acid is altered in plants resulting in improved plant             phenotype such as increased yield and/or increased tolerance             to abiotic stress; WO 2000/006341, WO 04/090143, U.S. Pat.             Nos. 7,531,723 and 6,992,237, each of which is incorporated             by reference in its entirety, where cytokinin expression is             modified resulting in plants with increased stress             tolerance, such as drought tolerance, and/or increased             yield. Also see WO 02/02776, WO 2003/052063, JP2002281975,             U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,153, WO 01/64898, U.S. Pat. Nos.             6,177,275 and 6,107,547 (enhancement of nitrogen utilization             and altered nitrogen responsiveness). For ethylene             alteration, see U.S. Application Nos. 2004/0128719,             2003/0166197 and WO 2000/32761, each of which is             incorporated by reference in its entirety. For plant             transcription factors or transcriptional regulators of             abiotic stress, see e.g. U.S. Application No. 2004/0098764             or U.S. Application No. 2004/0078852, each of which is             incorporated by reference in its entirety.         -   Other genes and transcription factors that affect plant             growth and agronomic traits such as yield, flowering, plant             growth and/or plant structure, can be introduced or             introgressed into plants, see e.g. WO 97/49811 (LHY), WO             98/56918 (ESD4), WO 97/10339 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,430             (TFL), U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,663 (FT), U.S. Pat. Nos.             6,794,560, 6,307,126 (GAI), WO 96/14414 (CON), WO 96/38560,             WO 01/21822 (VRN1), WO 00/44918 (VRN2), WO 99/49064 (GI), WO             00/46358 (FRI), WO 97/29123, WO 99/09174 (D8 and Rht), and             WO 2004/076638 and WO 2004/031349 (transcription factors),             each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Methods for Canola Transformation

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed including biological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, for example, Miki, et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA into Plants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 67-88. In addition, expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cell or tissue transformation and regeneration of plants are available. See, for example, Gruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119.

-   -   A. Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation—One method for         introducing an expression vector into plants is based on the         natural transformation system of Agrobacterium. See, for         example, Horsch, et al., Science 227:1229 (1985). A. tumefaciens         and A. rhizogenes are plant pathogenic soil bacteria which         genetically transform plant cells. The Ti and Ri plasmids of A.         tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes, respectively, carry genes         responsible for genetic transformation of the plant. See, for         example, Kado, C. I., Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 10:1 (1991).         Descriptions of Agrobacterium vector systems and methods for         Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer are provided by Gruber, et         al., supra, Miki, et al, supra, and Moloney, et al., Plant Cell         Reports 8:238 (1989). See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055         (Townsend and Thomas), incorporated by reference in its         entirety.     -   B. Direct Gene Transfer—Several methods of plant transformation,         collectively referred to as direct gene transfer, have been         developed as an alternative to Agrobacterium-mediated         transformation. A generally applicable method of plant         transformation is microprojectile-mediated transformation         wherein DNA is carried on the surface of microprojectiles         measuring 1 to 4 μm. The expression vector is introduced into         plant tissues with a biolistic device that accelerates the         microprojectiles to speeds of 300 to 600 m/s which is sufficient         to penetrate plant cell walls and membranes. Sanford, et al.,         Part. Sci. Technol. 5:27 (1987), Sanford, J. C., Trends Biotech.         6:299 (1988), Klein, et al., Bio/Technology 6:559-563 (1988),         Sanford, J. C., Physiol Plant 7:206 (1990), Klein, et al.,         Biotechnology 10:268 (1992). See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,580         (Christou, et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,783 (Tomes, et al.),         each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.     -   Another method for physical delivery of DNA to plants is         sonication of target cells. Zhang, et al., Bio/Technology 9:996         (1991).     -   Alternatively, liposome and spheroplast fusion have been used to         introduce expression vectors into plants. Deshayes, et al., EMBO         J., 4:2731 (1985), Christou, et al., Proc Natl. Acad. Sci.         U.S.A. 84:3962 (1987). Direct uptake of DNA into protoplasts         using CaCl₂ precipitation, polyvinyl alcohol or poly-L-ornithine         has also been reported. Hain, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet.         199:161 (1985) and Draper, et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 23:451         (1982). Electroporation of protoplasts and whole cells and         tissues have also been described. Donn, et al., In Abstracts of         VIIth International Congress on Plant Cell and Tissue Culture         IAPTC, A2-38, p 53 (1990); D'Halluin, et al., Plant Cell         4:1495-1505 (1992) and Spencer, et al., Plant Mol. Biol.         24:51-61 (1994).     -   Following transformation of canola target tissues, expression of         the above-described selectable marker genes allows for         preferential selection of transformed cells, tissues and/or         plants, using regeneration and selection methods well-known in         the art.

The foregoing methods for transformation would typically be used for producing a transgenic variety. The transgenic variety could then be crossed with another (non-transformed or transformed) variety, in order to produce a new transgenic variety. Alternatively, a genetic trait which has been engineered into a particular canola line using the foregoing transformation techniques could be moved into another line using traditional backcrossing techniques that are well-known in the plant breeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach could be used to move an engineered trait from a public, non-elite variety into an elite variety, or from a variety containing a foreign gene in its genome into a variety or varieties which do not contain that gene. As used herein, “crossing” can refer to a simple X by Y cross, or the process of backcrossing, depending on the context.

Genetic Marker Profile Through SSR and First Generation Progeny

In addition to phenotypic observations, a plant can also be identified by its genotype. The genotype of a plant can be characterized through a genetic marker profile which can identify plants of the same variety or a related variety or be used to determine or validate a pedigree. Genetic marker profiles can be obtained by techniques such as RFLP, Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), SSRs which are also referred to as Microsatellites, and SNPs. For exemplary methodologies, see Glick, et al., 1993. Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Particular markers used for these purposes are not limited to any particular set of markers, but are envisioned to include any type of marker and marker profile which provides a means of distinguishing varieties. One method of comparison is to use only homozygous loci for SCV218328.

In addition to being used for identification of canola line SCV218328 and plant parts and plant cells of line SCV218328, the genetic profile may be used to identify a canola plant produced through the use of SCV218328 or to verify a pedigree for progeny plants produced through the use of SCV218328. The genetic marker profile is also useful in breeding and developing backcross conversions.

The present invention comprises a canola plant characterized by molecular and physiological data obtained from the representative sample of said variety deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Further provided by the invention is a canola plant formed by the combination of the disclosed canola plant or plant cell with another canola plant or cell and comprising the homozygous alleles of the variety.

Means of performing genetic marker profiles using SSR polymorphisms are well-known in the art. SSRs are genetic markers based on polymorphisms in repeated nucleotide sequences, such as microsatellites. A marker system based on SSRs can be highly informative in linkage analysis relative to other marker systems in that multiple alleles may be present. Another advantage of this type of marker is that, through use of flanking primers, detection of SSRs can be achieved, for example, by PCR, thereby eliminating the need for labor-intensive Southern hybridization. The PCR detection is done by use of two oligonucleotide primers flanking the polymorphic segment of repetitive DNA. Repeated cycles of heat denaturation of the DNA followed by annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences at low temperatures, and extension of the annealed primers with DNA polymerase, comprise the major part of the methodology. For example, see Batley, J., et al. 2007. Mol. Ecol. Notes (OnlineEarly Articles) and Plieske, J., et al., 2001. Theor. Appl. Genet. 102:689-694.

Following amplification, markers can be scored by electrophoresis of the amplification products. Scoring of marker genotype is based on the size of the amplified fragment, which may be measured by the number of base pairs of the fragment. While variation in the primer used or in laboratory procedures can affect the reported fragment size, relative values should remain constant regardless of the specific primer or laboratory used. When comparing varieties it is preferable if all SSR profiles are performed in the same lab.

The SSR profile of canola plant SCV218328 can be used to identify plants comprising SCV218328 as a parent, since such plants will comprise the same homozygous alleles as SCV218328. Because the canola variety is essentially homozygous at all relevant loci, most loci should have only one type of allele present. In contrast, a genetic marker profile of an F₁ progeny should be the sum of those parents, e.g., if one parent was homozygous for allele x at a particular locus, and the other parent homozygous for allele y at that locus, then the F₁ progeny will be xy (heterozygous) at that locus. Subsequent generations of progeny produced by selection and breeding are expected to be of genotype x (homozygous), y (homozygous), or xy (heterozygous) for that locus position. When the F₁ plant is selfed or sibbed for successive filial generations, the locus should be either x or y for that position.

In addition, plants and plant parts substantially benefiting from the use of SCV218328 in their development, such as SCV218328 comprising a backcross conversion, transgene, or genetic sterility factor, may be identified by having a molecular marker profile with a high percent identity to SCV218328. Such a percent identity might be 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SCV218328.

The SSR profile of SCV218328 also can be used to identify essentially derived varieties and other progeny varieties developed from the use of SCV218328, as well as cells and other plant parts thereof. Such plants may be developed using the markers identified in WO 00/31964, U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,967 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,386, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Progeny plants and plant parts produced using SCV218328 may be identified by having a molecular marker profile of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% genetic contribution from canola variety, as measured by either percent identity or percent similarity. Such progeny may be further characterized as being within a pedigree distance of SCV218328, such as within 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or less cross-pollinations to a canola plant other than SCV218328 or a plant that has SCV218328 as a progenitor. Unique molecular profiles may be identified with other molecular tools such as SNPs and RFLPs.

While determining the SSR genetic marker profile of the plants described supra, several unique SSR profiles may also be identified which did not appear in either parent of such plant. Such unique SSR profiles may arise during the breeding process from recombination or mutation. A combination of several unique alleles provides a means of identifying a plant variety, an F₁ progeny produced from such variety, and progeny produced from such variety.

Single-Gene Conversions

When the term “canola plant” is used in the context of the present invention, this also includes any single gene conversions of that variety. The term “single gene converted plant,” as used herein, refers to those canola plants which are developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing wherein essentially all of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to the single gene transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique. Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improve or introduce a characteristic into the variety. The term “backcrossing” as used herein refers to the repeated crossing of a hybrid progeny back to the recurrent parent, i.e., backcrossing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more times to the recurrent parent. The parental canola plant that contributes the gene for the desired characteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur. The parental canola plant to which the gene or genes from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in the backcrossing protocol (Poehlman & Sleper, 1994; Fehr, Principles of Cultivar Development (1987)). In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the single gene of interest to be transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to the recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a canola plant is obtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the converted plant, in addition to the single transferred gene from the nonrecurrent parent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for a successful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol is to alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the original variety. To accomplish this, a single gene of the recurrent variety is modified or substituted with the desired gene from the nonrecurrent parent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desired genetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphological, constitution of the original variety. The choice of the particular nonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one of the major purposes is to add some agronomically important trait to the plant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristic or trait being altered to determine an appropriate testing protocol. Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desired characteristic has been successfully transferred.

Many single gene traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for in the development of a new variety but that can be improved by backcrossing techniques. Single gene traits may or may not be transgenic; examples of these traits include but are not limited to, male sterility, waxy starch, herbicide tolerance, resistance for bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, insect resistance, male fertility, enhanced nutritional quality, industrial usage, yield stability and yield enhancement. These genes are generally inherited through the nucleus. Several of these single gene traits are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,185; 5,973,234 and 5,977,445, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Introduction of a New Trait or Locus into SCV218328

Line SCV218328 represents a new base genetic variety into which a new locus or trait may be introgressed. Direct transformation and backcrossing represent two important methods that can be used to accomplish such an introgression. The term backcross conversion and single locus conversion are used interchangeably to designate the product of a backcrossing program.

Backcross Conversions of SCV218328

A backcross conversion of SCV218328 occurs when DNA sequences are introduced through backcrossing with SCV218328 utilized as the recurrent parent. Both naturally occurring and transgenic DNA sequences may be introduced through backcrossing techniques. A backcross conversion may produce a plant with a trait or locus conversion in at least two or more backcrosses, including at least 2 crosses, at least 3 crosses, at least 4 crosses, or at least 5 crosses. Molecular marker assisted breeding or selection may be utilized to reduce the number of backcrosses necessary to achieve the backcross conversion. For example, see Openshaw, S. J., et al., Marker-assisted Selection in Backcross Breeding. In: Proceedings Symposium of the Analysis of Molecular Data, August 1994, Crop Science Society of America, Corvallis, Oreg., where it is demonstrated that a backcross conversion can be made in as few as two backcrosses.

The complexity of the backcross conversion method depends on the type of trait being transferred (single genes or closely linked genes as vs. unlinked genes), the level of expression of the trait, the type of inheritance (cytoplasmic or nuclear) and the types of parents included in the cross. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that for single gene traits that are relatively easy to classify, the backcross method is effective and relatively easy to manage (see Hallauer, et al. in Corn and Corn Improvement, Sprague and Dudley, Third Ed. 1998). Desired traits that may be transferred through backcross conversion include, but are not limited to, sterility (nuclear and cytoplasmic), fertility restoration, nutritional enhancements, drought tolerance, nitrogen utilization, altered fatty acid profile, altered seed amino acid levels, altered seed oil levels, low phytate, industrial enhancements, disease resistance (bacterial, fungal or viral), insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. In addition, an introgression site itself, such as an FRT site, Lox site or other site specific integration site, may be inserted by backcrossing and utilized for direct insertion of one or more genes of interest into a specific plant variety. In some embodiments of the invention, the number of loci that may be backcrossed into SCV218328 is at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and/or no more than 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2. A single locus may contain several transgenes, such as a transgene for disease resistance that, in the same expression vector, also contains a transgene for herbicide tolerance. The gene for herbicide tolerance may be used as a selectable marker and/or as a phenotypic trait. A single locus conversion of site specific integration system allows for the integration of multiple genes at the converted loci.

The backcross conversion may result from either the transfer of a dominant allele or a recessive allele. Selection of progeny containing the trait of interest is accomplished by direct selection for a trait associated with a dominant allele. Transgenes transferred via backcrossing typically function as a dominant single gene trait and are relatively easy to classify. Selection of progeny for a trait that is transferred via a recessive allele requires growing and selfing the first backcross generation to determine which plants carry the recessive alleles. Recessive traits may require additional progeny testing in successive backcross generations to determine the presence of the locus of interest. The last backcross generation is usually selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) being transferred, although a backcross conversion with a stably introgressed trait may also be maintained by further backcrossing to the recurrent parent with selection for the converted trait.

Along with selection for the trait of interest, progeny are selected for the phenotype of the recurrent parent. The backcross is a form of inbreeding, and the features of the recurrent parent are automatically recovered after successive backcrosses. Poehlman, Breeding Field Crops, P. 204 (1987). Poehlman suggests from one to four or more backcrosses, but as noted above, the number of backcrosses necessary can be reduced with the use of molecular markers. Other factors, such as a genetically similar donor parent, may also reduce the number of backcrosses necessary. As noted by Poehlman, backcrossing is easiest for simply inherited, dominant and easily recognized traits.

One process for adding or modifying a trait or locus in canola line SCV218328 comprises crossing SCV218328 plants grown from SCV218328 seed with plants of another canola variety that comprise the desired trait or locus, selecting F₁ progeny plants that comprise the desired trait or locus to produce selected F₁ progeny plants, crossing the selected progeny plants with the SCV218328 plants to produce backcross progeny plants, selecting for backcross progeny plants that have the desired trait or locus and the morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and backcrossing to SCV218328 three or more times in succession to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise said trait or locus. The modified SCV218328 may be further characterized as having essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 listed in Table 1 and/or may be characterized by percent similarity or identity to SCV218328 as determined by SSR markers. The above method may be utilized with fewer backcrosses in appropriate situations, such as when the donor parent is highly related or markers are used in the selection step. Desired traits that may be used include those nucleic acids known in the art, some of which are listed herein, that will affect traits through nucleic acid expression or inhibition. Desired loci include the introgression of FRT, Lox and other sites for site specific integration, which may also affect a desired trait if a functional nucleic acid is inserted at the integration site.

In addition, the above process and other similar processes described herein may be used to produce first generation progeny canola seed by adding a step at the end of the process that comprises crossing SCV218328 with the introgressed trait or locus with a different canola plant and harvesting the resultant first generation progeny canola seed.

Tissue Culture of Canola

Further production of the SCV218328 line can occur by tissue culture and regeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of canola and regeneration of plants therefrom is known and widely published. For example, reference may be had to Chuong, et al., “A Simple Culture Method for Brassica Hypocotyl Protoplasts”, Plant Cell Reports 4:4-6 (1985); Barsby, T. L., et al., “A Rapid and Efficient Alternative Procedure for the Regeneration of Plants from Hypocotyl Protoplasts of Brassica napus”, Plant Cell Reports, (Spring, 1996); Kartha, K., et al., “In vitro Plant Formation from Stem Explants of Rape”, Physiol. Plant, 31:217-220 (1974); Narasimhulu, S., et al., “Species Specific Shoot Regeneration Response of Cotyledonary Explants of Brassicas”, Plant Cell Reports, (Spring 1988); Swanson, E., “Microspore Culture in Brassica”, Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 6, Chapter 17, p. 159 (1990). Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiation produce canola plants having the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328.

As used herein, the term “tissue culture” indicates a composition comprising isolated cells of the same or a different type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of a plant. Exemplary types of tissue cultures are protoplasts, calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that can generate tissue culture that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers, seeds, pods, leaves, stems, roots, root tips, anthers, and pistils. Means for preparing and maintaining plant tissue culture are well-known in the art. By way of example, a tissue culture comprising organs has been used to produce regenerated plants. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,185, 5,973,234 and 5,977,445, describe certain techniques, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Using SCV218328 to Develop Other Canola Varieties

Canola varieties such as SCV218328 are typically developed for use in seed and grain production. However, canola varieties such as SCV218328 also provide a source of breeding material that may be used to develop new canola varieties. Plant breeding techniques known in the art and used in a canola plant breeding program include, but are not limited to, recurrent selection, mass selection, bulk selection, mass selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, open pollination breeding, restriction fragment length polymorphism enhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selection, making double haploids, and transformation. Often combinations of these techniques are used. The development of canola varieties in a plant breeding program requires, in general, the development and evaluation of homozygous varieties. For a general description of rapeseed and canola breeding, see Downey, et al., 1987. Rapeseed and Mustard in Fehr, W. R. (ed.), Principles of Cultivar Development p. 437-486. N.Y., Macmillan and Co.; Thompson, K. F., 1983. Breeding winter oilseed rape Brassica napus. Adv. Appl. Bio. 7:1-104; and Ward, et al., 1985. Oilseed Rape. Farming Press Ltd., Wharefedale Road, Ipswich, Suffolk.

Additional Breeding Methods

This invention, in an embodiment, is directed to methods for producing a canola plant by crossing a first parent canola plant with a second parent canola plant wherein either the first or second parent canola plant is line SCV218328. The other parent may be any other canola plant, such as a canola plant that is part of a synthetic or natural population. Any such methods using canola line SCV218328 are part of this invention: selfing, sibbing, backcrosses, mass selection, pedigree breeding, bulk selection, hybrid production, or crosses to populations. These methods are well-known in the art and some of the more commonly used breeding methods are described below. Descriptions of breeding methods can be found in one of several reference books (e.g., Allard, Principles of Plant Breeding, 1960; Simmonds, Principles of Crop Improvement, 1979; Sneep, et al., 1979).

The following describes breeding methods that may be used with canola line SCV218328 in the development of further canola plants. One such embodiment is a method for developing a line SCV218328 progeny canola plant in a canola plant breeding program comprising: obtaining the canola plant, or a part thereof, of line SCV218328 utilizing said plant or plant part as a source of breeding material and selecting a canola line SCV218328 progeny plant with molecular markers in common with line SCV218328 and/or with morphological and/or physiological characteristics selected from the characteristics listed in Table 1. Breeding steps that may be used in the canola plant breeding program include pedigree breeding, backcrossing, mutation breeding, and recurrent selection. In conjunction with these steps, techniques such as RFLP-enhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selection (for example SSR markers) and the making of double haploids may be utilized.

Another method involves producing a population of canola line SCV218328 progeny canola plants, comprising crossing line SCV218328 with another canola plant, thereby producing a population of canola plants, which, on average, derive 50% of their alleles from canola line SCV218328. A plant of this population may be selected and repeatedly selfed or sibbed with a canola line resulting from these successive filial generations. One embodiment of this invention is the canola line produced by this method and that has obtained at least 50% of its alleles from canola line SCV218328.

One of ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would know how to evaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine if there is no significant difference between the two traits expressed by those varieties. For example, see Fehr and Walt, Principles of Cultivar Development, p 261-286 (1987). Thus, the invention includes, in an embodiment, canola line SCV218328 progeny canola plants comprising a combination of at least two line SCV218328 traits selected from the group consisting of those listed in Table 1. In anther embodiment, the line SCV218328 comprises any combination of traits described herein. In either embodiment, the progeny canola plant may not be significantly different for said traits than canola line SCV218328 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions. Using techniques described herein, molecular markers may be used to identify said progeny plant as a canola line SCV218328 progeny plant. Mean trait values may be used to determine whether trait differences are significant, and the traits may then be measured on plants grown under the same environmental conditions. Once such a variety is developed its value is substantial since it is important to advance the germplasm base as a whole in order to maintain or improve traits such as yield, disease resistance, pest resistance, and plant performance in extreme environmental conditions.

Progeny of canola line SCV218328 may also be characterized through their filial relationship with canola line SCV218328, as for example, being within a certain number of breeding crosses of canola line SCV218328. A breeding cross is a cross made to introduce new genetics into the progeny, and is distinguished from a cross, such as a self or a sib cross, made to select among existing genetic alleles. The lower the number of breeding crosses in the pedigree, the closer the relationship between canola line SCV218328 and its progeny. For example, progeny produced by the methods described herein may be within 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 breeding crosses of canola line SCV218328.

Pedigree Breeding

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, such as SCV218328 and another canola variety having one or more desirable characteristics that is lacking or which complements SCV218328. If the two original parents do not provide all the desired characteristics, other sources can be included in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superior plants are selfed and selected in successive filial generations. In the succeeding filial generations the heterozygous condition gives way to homogeneous varieties as a result of self-pollination and selection. Typically in the pedigree method of breeding, five or more successive filial generations of selfing and selection is practiced: F₁ to F₂; F₂ to F₃; F₃ to F₄; F₄ to F₅, etc. After a sufficient amount of inbreeding, successive filial generations will serve to increase seed of the developed variety. The developed variety may comprise homozygous alleles at about 95% or more of its loci.

In addition to being used to create a backcross conversion, backcrossing can also be used in combination with pedigree breeding. As discussed previously, backcrossing can be used to transfer one or more specifically desirable traits from one variety, the donor parent, to a developed variety called the recurrent parent, which has overall good agronomic characteristics yet lacks that desirable trait or traits. However, the same procedure can be used to move the progeny toward the genotype of the recurrent parent but at the same time retain many components of the non-recurrent parent by stopping the backcrossing at an early stage and proceeding with selfing and selection. For example, a canola variety may be crossed with another variety to produce a first generation progeny plant. The first generation progeny plant may then be backcrossed to one of its parent varieties to create a BC1 or BC2. Progeny are selfed and selected so that the newly developed variety has many of the attributes of the recurrent parent and yet several of the desired attributes of the non-recurrent parent. This approach leverages the value and strengths of the recurrent parent for use in new canola varieties.

Therefore, an embodiment of this invention is a method of making a backcross conversion of canola line SCV218328, comprising the steps of crossing a plant of canola line SCV218328 with a donor plant comprising a desired trait, selecting an F₁ progeny plant comprising the desired trait, and backcrossing the selected F₁ progeny plant to a plant of canola line SCV218328. This method may further comprise the step of obtaining a molecular marker profile of canola line SCV218328 and using the molecular marker profile to select for a progeny plant with the desired trait and the molecular marker profile of SCV218328. In one embodiment, the desired trait is a mutant gene or transgene present in the donor parent.

Recurrent Selection and Mass Selection

Recurrent selection is a method used in a plant breeding program to improve a population of plants. SCV218328 is suitable for use in a recurrent selection program. The method entails individual plants cross pollinating with each other to form progeny. The progeny are grown and the superior progeny selected by any number of selection methods, which include individual plant, half-sib progeny, full-sib progeny and selfed progeny. The selected progeny are cross pollinated with each other to form progeny for another population. This population is planted and again superior plants are selected to cross pollinate with each other. Recurrent selection is a cyclical process and therefore can be repeated as many times as desired. The objective of recurrent selection is to improve the traits of a population. The improved population can then be used as a source of breeding material to obtain new varieties for commercial or breeding use, including the production of a synthetic line. A synthetic line is the resultant progeny formed by the intercrossing of several selected varieties.

Mass selection is a useful technique when used in conjunction with molecular marker enhanced selection. In mass selection seeds from individuals are selected based on phenotype or genotype. These selected seeds are then bulked and used to grow the next generation. Bulk selection requires growing a population of plants in a bulk plot, allowing the plants to self-pollinate, harvesting the seed in bulk and then using a sample of the seed harvested in bulk to plant the next generation. Also, instead of self pollination, directed pollination could be used as part of the breeding program.

Mutation Breeding

Mutation breeding is another method of introducing new traits into canola line SCV218328. Mutations that occur spontaneously or are artificially induced can be useful sources of variability for a plant breeder. The goal of artificial mutagenesis is to increase the rate of mutation for a desired characteristic. Mutation rates can be increased by many different means including temperature, long-term seed storage, tissue culture conditions, radiation; such as X-rays, Gamma rays (e.g. cobalt 60 or cesium 137), neutrons, (product of nuclear fission by uranium 235 in an atomic reactor), Beta radiation (emitted from radioisotopes such as phosphorus 32 or carbon 14), or ultraviolet radiation (from 2500 to 2900 nm), or chemical mutagens (such as base analogues (5-bromo-uracil), related compounds (8-ethoxy caffeine), antibiotics (streptonigrin), alkylating agents (sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, epoxides, ethylenamines, sulfates, sulfonates, sulfones, lactones), azide, hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, or acridines. Once a desired trait is observed through mutagenesis the trait may then be incorporated into existing genrplasm by traditional breeding techniques. Details of mutation breeding can be found in Fehr, 1993. Principles of Cultivar Development, Macmillan Publishing Company. In addition, mutations created in other canola plants may be used to produce a backcross conversion of canola line SCV218328 that comprises such mutation.

Breeding with Molecular Markers

Molecular markers, which include markers identified through the use of techniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), may be used in plant breeding methods utilizing canola line SCV218328. One use of molecular markers is QTL mapping. QTL mapping is the use of markers, which are known to be closely linked to alleles that have measurable effects on a quantitative trait. Selection in the breeding process is based upon the accumulation of markers linked to the positive effecting alleles and/or the elimination of the markers linked to the negative effecting alleles from the plant's genome.

Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding process for the selection of qualitative traits. For example, markers closely linked to alleles or markers containing sequences within the actual alleles of interest can be used to select plants that contain the alleles of interest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markers can also be used to select for the genome of the recurrent parent and against the genome of the donor parent. Using this procedure can minimize the amount of genome from the donor parent that remains in the selected plants. It can also be used to reduce the number of crosses back to the recurrent parent needed in a backcrossing program. The use of molecular markers in the selection process is often called genetic marker enhanced selection. Molecular markers may also be used to identify and exclude certain sources of germplasm as parental varieties or ancestors of a plant by providing a means of tracking genetic profiles through crosses.

Production of Double Haploids

The production of double haploids can also be used for the development of plants with a homozygous phenotype in the breeding program. For example, a canola plant for which canola line SCV218328 is a parent can be used to produce double haploid plants. Double haploids are produced by the doubling of a set of chromosomes (1 N) from a heterozygous plant to produce a completely homozygous individual. For example, see Wan, et al., (1989) “Efficient Production of Doubled Haploid Plants Through Colchicine Treatment of Anther-Derived Maize Callus”, Theor. Appl. Genet., 77:889-892 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,615, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This can be advantageous because the process omits the generations of selfing needed to obtain a homozygous plant from a heterozygous source.

Haploid induction systems have been developed for various plants to produce haploid tissues, plants and seeds. Methods for obtaining haploid plants are also disclosed in Kobayashi, M., et al., J. Heredity 71(1):9-14, 1980, Pollacsek, M., Agronomie (Paris) 12(3):247-251, 1992; Cho-Un-Haing, et al., J Plant Biol., 1996, 39(3):185-188; Verdoodt, L., et al., February 1998, 96(2):294-300; Genetic Manipulation in Plant Breeding, Proceedings International Symposium Organized by EUCARPIA, Sep. 8-13, 1985, Berlin, Germany; Chalyk, et al., 1994, Maize Genet Coop. Newsletter 68:47; Chalyk, S.

Thus, an embodiment of this invention is a process for making a substantially homozygous SCV218328 progeny plant by producing or obtaining a seed from the cross of SCV218328 and another canola plant and applying double haploid methods to the F₁ seed or F₁ plant or to any successive filial generation. Based on studies in maize and currently being conducted in canola, such methods would decrease the number of generations required to produce a variety with similar genetics or characteristics to SCV218328. See Bernardo, R. and Kahler, A. L., Theor. Appl. Genet. 102:986-992, 2001.

In particular, a process of making seed retaining the molecular marker profile of canola line SCV218328 is contemplated, such process comprising obtaining or producing F₁ seed for which canola line SCV218328 is a parent, inducing doubled haploids to create progeny without the occurrence of meiotic segregation, obtaining the molecular marker profile of canola line SCV218328, and selecting progeny that retain the molecular marker profile of SCV218328.

A pollination control system and effective transfer of pollen from one parent to the other offers improved plant breeding and an effective method for producing hybrid canola seed and plants. For example, the ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) system, developed via protoplast fusion between radish (Raphanus sativus) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) is one of the most frequently used methods of hybrid production. It provides stable expression of the male sterility trait (Ogura 1968), Pelletier, et al (1983) and an effective nuclear restorer gene (Heyn 1976).

In developing improved new Brassica hybrid varieties, breeders use self-incompatible (SI), cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and nuclear male sterile (NMS) Brassica plants as the female parent. In using these plants, breeders are attempting to improve the efficiency of seed production and the quality of the F₁ hybrids and to reduce the breeding costs. When hybridization is conducted without using SI, CMS or NMS plants, it is more difficult to obtain and isolate the desired traits in the progeny (F₁ generation) because the parents are capable of undergoing both cross-pollination and self-pollination. If one of the parents is a SI, CMS or NMS plant that is incapable of producing pollen, only cross pollination will occur. By eliminating the pollen of one parental variety in a cross, a plant breeder is assured of obtaining hybrid seed of uniform quality, provided that the parents are of uniform quality and the breeder conducts a single cross.

In one instance, production of F₁ hybrids includes crossing a CMS Brassica female parent, with a pollen producing male Brassica parent. To reproduce effectively, however, the male parent of the F₁ hybrid must have a fertility restorer gene (Rf gene). The presence of an Rf gene means that the F₁ generation will not be completely or partially sterile, so that either self-pollination or cross pollination may occur. Self pollination of the F₁ generation to produce several subsequent generations is important to ensure that a desired trait is heritable and stable and that a new variety has been isolated.

An example of a Brassica plant which is cytoplasmic male sterile and used for breeding is ogura (OGU) cytoplasmic male sterile (R. Pellan-Delourme, et al, 1987). A fertility restorer for ogura cytoplasmic male sterile plants has been transferred from Raphanus sativus (radish) to Brassica by Instit. National de Recherche Agricole (INRA) in Rennes, France (Pelletier, et al., 1987). The restorer gene, Rfl originating from radish, is described in WO 92/05251 and in Delourme, et al., (1991). Improved versions of this restorer have been developed. For example, see WO 98/27806 “Oilseed brassica containing an improved fertility restorer gene for ogura cytoplasmic male sterility”.

Other sources and refinements of CMS sterility in canola include the Polima cytoplasmic male sterile plant, as well as those of U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,566, “DNA sequence imparting cytoplasmic male sterility, mitochondrial genome, nuclear genome, mitochondria and plant containing said sequence and process for the preparation of hybrids”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,233 “Cytoplasmic male sterility system production canola hybrids”; and WO 97/02737 “Cytoplasmic male sterility system producing canola hybrids”; EP patent application 0 599042A “Methods for introducing a fertility restorer gene and for producing F₁ hybrids of Brassica plants thereby”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,072 “Cytoplasmic male sterility system production canola hybrids”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,085 “Hybridization using cytoplasmic male sterility, cytoplasmic herbicide tolerance, and herbicide tolerance from nuclear genes”; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Further, as a result of the advances in sterility systems, lines are developed that can be used as an open pollinated variety (i.e. a pureline line sold to the grower for planting) and/or as a sterile inbred (female) used in the production of F₁ hybrid seed. In the latter case, favorable combining ability with a restorer (male) would be desirable. The resulting hybrid seed would then be sold to the grower for planting.

The development of a canola hybrid in a canola plant breeding program involves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasm pools for initial breeding crosses; (2) the selfing of the selected plants from the breeding crosses for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which, although different from each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with different inbred lines to produce the hybrids. During the inbreeding process in canola, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two different inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybrid. An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between a defined pair of inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give a superior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents is maintained.

Combining ability of a line, as well as the performance of the line, is a factor in the selection of improved canola lines that may be used as inbreds. Combining ability refers to a line's contribution as a parent when crossed with other lines to form hybrids. The hybrids formed for the purpose of selecting superior lines are designated test crosses. One way of measuring combining ability is by using breeding values. Breeding values are based on the overall mean of a number of test crosses. This mean is then adjusted to remove environmental effects and it is adjusted for known genetic relationships among the lines.

Hybrid seed production requires inactivation of pollen produced by the female parent. Incomplete inactivation of the pollen provides the potential for self-pollination. This inadvertently self-pollinated seed may be unintentionally harvested and packaged with hybrid seed. Similarly, because the male parent is grown next to the female parent in the field there is also the potential that the male selfed seed could be unintentionally harvested and packaged with the hybrid seed. Once the seed from the hybrid bag is planted, it is possible to identify and select these self-pollinated plants. These self-pollinated plants will be genetically equivalent to one of the inbred lines used to produce the hybrid. Though the possibility of inbreds being included in hybrid seed bags exists, the occurrence is rare because much care is taken to avoid such inclusions. These self-pollinated plants can be identified and selected by one skilled in the art, either through visual or molecular methods.

Brassica napus canola plants, absent the use of sterility systems, are recognized to commonly be self-fertile with approximately 70 to 90 percent of the seed normally forming as the result of self-pollination. The percentage of cross pollination may be further enhanced when populations of recognized insect pollinators at a given growing site are greater. Thus open pollination is often used in commercial canola production. Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly used for different traits and crops can be found in one of several reference books (e.g., Allard, 1960; Simmonds, 1979; Sneep, et al., 1979; Fehr, 1987).

INDUSTRIAL USES

Currently Brassica napus canola is recognized as an increasingly important oilseed crop and a source of meal in many parts of the world. The oil as removed from the seeds commonly contains a lesser concentration of endogenously formed saturated fatty acids than other vegetable oils and is well suited for use in the production of salad oil or other food products or in cooking or frying applications. The oil also finds utility in industrial applications. Additionally, the meal component of the seeds can be used as a nutritious protein concentrate for livestock.

Canola oil has the lowest level of saturated fatty acids of all vegetable oils. “Canola” refers to rapeseed (Brassica) which has a erucic acid (C_(22:1)) content of at most 2 percent by weight based on the total fatty acid content of a seed, and which produces, after crushing, an air-dried meal containing less than 30 micromoles (μmol) per gram of defatted (oil-free) meal. These types of rapeseed are distinguished by their edibility in comparison to more traditional varieties of the species.

Canola line SCV218328 can be used in the production of an edible vegetable oil or other food products in accordance with known techniques. The solid meal component derived from seeds can be used as a nutritious livestock feed. Parts of the plant not used for human or animal food can be used for biofuel.

TABLES

In Table 2, selected characteristics of the seed of canola line SCV218328 are compared with seed characteristics of two commercial canola lines. The data in Table 2 includes results collected from twelve testing locations and are presented as ranges (lowest to highest) of the values observed. Column 1 shows the variety, column 2 shows the percent saturated fatty acid content, column 3 shows the percent oil content, column 4 shows the glucosinolate content in micromoles (μm), and column 5 shows the percent protein content.

Compared to the two commercial canola lines Check # Q2 and Check #46A65, the ranges presented in Table 2 indicate that seed of canola line SCV218328 of the present invention has a percent saturated fatty acid content in a normal range, a percent oil content in a higher range, a glucosinolate content in a lower range and a percent protein content in a lower range.

TABLE 2 Characteristics of SCV218328 Compared to Two Standard Check Varieties 1 2 3 4 5 Variety Sat. Fats % Oil % Glucosinolate (μm/g) Protein % SCV218328 6.82% 49.23% 8.45 45.14% Check Q2 7.06% 46.81% 14.99 44.26% Check 6.77% 47.59% 15.92 45.47% 46A65

In Table 3, selected characteristics of a single cross hybrid (G72021) containing canola line SCV218328 are compared with characteristics of two commercial canola lines. The comparisons in Table 3 show the deviation in values between G72021 and the average of the two commercial canola lines, Check #1 and Check #2, with the values shown being representative of data collected from a varying number of trial locations (“No. Locs”). Column 1 shows the variety, column 2 shows the percent yield deviation, column 3 shows the deviation in plant lodging ratings, column 4 shows the deviation in days to maturity, column 5 shows deviation in the percent saturated fatty acid content, column 6 shows the plant height deviation, column 7 shows the deviation in percent glucosinolate content in micromoles, column 8 shows the deviation in percent oil content, column 9 shows the deviation in percent protein content, column 10 shows the resistance rating to blackleg disease, and column 11 shows the resistance rating to Fusarium Wilt disease.

Compared to the average of the values recorded for Check Q2 and Check 46A45, the hybrid containing SCV218328 of the present invention (G72021) has higher yield, a lodging rating that is significantly decreased (less prone to lodging), a days to maturity rating that is slightly later, a comparable percent saturated fat content, a shorter plant height, a lower glucosinolate content, a higher percent oil content, a comparable percent protein content and comparable resistance to blackleg and fusarium wilt.

TABLE 3 Characteristics of A Hybrid Containing SCV218328 Compared to Two Commercial Varieties 3 4 6 7 10 11 1 2 Lodging DMat 5 Height Gluc 8 9 BL FW Var. Yield % rating Days Sats % cm μm/g Oil % Prot % rating rating Q2 97.8 2.7 96.8 7.06 106.0 14.99 46.81 44.26 NA NA 46A65 102.2 3.2 97.1 6.77 104.8 15.92 47.59 45.47 NA NA AVG of 100 2.9 96.9 6.92 105.6 14.71 47.2 44.9 NA NA CHECKS G72021 111.2 1.1 97.5 6.91 98.5 11.59 50.42 44.30 R R No. Loc 41 24 41 41 24 41 41 41 3 3 * Hybrid G72021 compared to commercial varieties Q2 and 46A65. Note: Q2 and 46A65 are used as check varieties in the official Canadian variety registration trials conducted by the Western Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee, Inc.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

A deposit of the Monsanto Canada Inc. proprietary canola line designated SCV218328 disclosed above and recited in the appended claims has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110. The date of deposit was Apr. 27, 2009. The deposit of 2,500 seeds was taken from the same deposit maintained by Monsanto Canada Inc. since prior to the filing date of this application. All restrictions upon the deposit have been irrevocably removed, and the deposit is intended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. 1.801-1.809. The ATCC accession number is PTA-10008. The deposit will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced as necessary during that period.

All references cited in this specification, including without limitation, all papers, publications, patents, patent applications, presentations, texts, reports, manuscripts, brochures, books, internet postings, journal articles, periodicals, and the like, are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in their entireties. The discussion of the references herein is intended merely to summarize the assertions made by their authors and no admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. Applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited references.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein. 

1. A seed of canola line SCV218328, a representative sample of seed of which was deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10008.
 2. A canola plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing the seed of claim
 1. 3. A tissue culture produced from protoplasts or cells from the plant of claim 2, wherein said cells or protoplasts of the tissue culture are produced from a plant part selected from the group consisting of leaf, pollen, embryo, cotyledon, hypocotyl, meristematic cell, root, root tip, anther, pistil, flower, shoot, stem, petiole and pod.
 4. A canola plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 3, wherein the plant has essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of line SCV218328, as shown in Table
 1. 5. A method for producing a canola seed comprising crossing two canola plants and harvesting the resultant canola seed, wherein at least one of the two canola plants is the canola plant of claim
 2. 6. A canola seed produced by the method of claim
 5. 7. A canola plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing said seed of claim
 6. 8. A method for producing a male sterile canola plant wherein the method comprises transforming the canola plant of claim 2 with a nucleic acid molecule that confers male sterility.
 9. A male sterile canola plant produced by the method of claim
 8. 10. A method of producing an herbicide tolerant canola plant wherein the method comprises transforming the canola plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers herbicide tolerance to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, Dicamba, L-phosphinothricin, triazine, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, phenoxy proprionic acid, cyclohexone, and benzonitrile.
 11. An herbicide tolerant canola plant produced by the method of claim
 10. 12. A method of producing an insect- or pest-resistant canola plant wherein the method comprises transforming the canola plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers insect or pest resistance.
 13. An insect- or pest-resistant canola plant produced by the method of claim
 12. 14. The canola plant of claim 13, wherein the transgene encodes a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
 15. A method of producing a disease resistant canola plant wherein the method comprises transforming the canola plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers disease resistance.
 16. A disease resistant canola plant produced by the method of claim
 15. 17. A method of producing a canola plant with modified fatty acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism wherein the method comprises transforming the canola plant of claim 2 with a transgene encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, alpha-amylase, invertase, and starch branching enzyme or encoding an antisense of stearyl-ACP desaturase.
 18. A canola plant having modified fatty acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism produced by the method of claim
 17. 19. Meal prepared from the seed of the canola line of claim
 1. 20. A method of introducing a desired trait into canola line SCV2 18328 wherein the method comprises: (a) crossing a SCV218328 plant, wherein a representative sample of seed was deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10008, with a plant of another canola line that comprises a desired trait to produce progeny plants, wherein the desired trait is selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified seed yield, modified oil percent, modified protein percent, modified lodging resistance, and resistance to bacterial disease, fungal disease, or viral disease; (b) selecting one or more progeny plants that have the desired trait to produce selected progeny plants; (c) crossing the selected progeny plants with the SCV218328 plants to produce backcross progeny plants; (d) selecting for backcross progeny plants that have the desired trait and essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 listed in Table 1; and (e) repeating the crossing the selected progeny step and selecting for backcross progeny step two or more times to produce selected third or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the desired trait and essentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of canola line SCV218328 as shown in Table
 1. 21. A canola plant produced by the method of claim 20, wherein the plant has the desired trait.
 22. The canola plant of claim 21, wherein the desired trait is herbicide tolerance and the resistance is conferred to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, Dicamba, L-phosphinothricin, triazine, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, phenoxy proprionic acid, cyclohexone and benzonitrile.
 23. The canola plant of claim 21, wherein the desired trait is insect resistance and the insect resistance is conferred by a transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
 24. The canola plant of claim 21, wherein the desired trait is modified fatty acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism and said desired trait is conferred by a nucleic acid encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of phytase, fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, a-amylase, invertase and starch branching enzyme or encoding an antisense of stearyl-ACP desaturase.
 25. A method of producing a male sterile canola seed wherein the method comprises crossing the canola plant of claim 2 with a male sterile canola plant and harvesting the resultant seed. 